One-way street to isolation
Mum thought trip was OK
A HEALTHCARE worker “detained” in hotel quarantine after flying into Victoria from the Gold Coast thought she was “doing everything right” in a Glitter Strip hotel hours before being stopped by authorities.
Radiology worker Gemma Mai told the Bulletin on Monday she genuinely believed she understood border rules when she flew from Gold Coast Airport to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport on January 1.
But she was immediately stopped on arrival by health and border authorities who forced her into hotel quarantine for a fortnight at her expense.
Ms Mai lives one street over from the Queensland border in Tweed Heads — so technically in NSW — but had been staying on the Gold Coast since January 1 believing that would avoid the border shutdown installed by Victoria on NSW. But her NSW address meant she could not enter Victoria to visit her friend temporarily or return home to her 11-year-old son and Tweed job.
In a video posted to social media just days before her flight, an excited Ms Mai said: “I’ve checked into my hotel before lockout of NSW into Victoria, so I’m here in Queensland for two days.
“So nice. I’ll see you soon Melbourne.”
Ms Mai, now in her quarantine hotel in Victoria, on Tuesday claimed her case had been escalated by Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services.
When detained on arrival in Melbourne, she later described the experience as feeling similar to being a “criminal”.
“I felt like a criminal, escorted to the toilet at the airport, put on a bus and was practically waiting for them to hand me a green prison jumpsuit,” she said. “Cops, army and 20 people at the hotel looking at you.”
Her actions have been criticised on social media by Gold Coast Bulletin readers while others claim the rules are too stringent.
Angela Hunter said: “This is stupid, she knew the borders had closed two days before her flight. She knew she is technically a NSW resident. If she felt separated from her son why leave in the first place?
“She’s just annoyed she’s spending her holiday in quarantine instead of out clubbing.”
John wrote: “The last time I looked at a map the southern side of the border is NSW. Does not matter if you live 500 metres or 500 kilometres from it.”
Others were more sympathetic.
Seymour wrote: “Rules are overbearing and not proportionate to the risk. This is all about grandstanding and protecting politician’s reputations.”
Brian wrote: “CCP Dictator Dan strikes again, I live in Tweed Heads and I am allowed to enter Queensland provided I have not been in any of the NSW hotspots.”